Open Water Athletes Will Vie for Title
of Most Awesome Viking

41st Thomas Eakins Head of
the Schuylkill Regatta
Offers Several New Events

Athletes eager to explore their inner "Viking" will now have the opportunity to do so—the 41st Thomas Eakins Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is expanding its open water racing events, offering adult open-water rowers two racing opportunities – one on each day of the regatta - and the option for the best performers among these athletes to vie for the title of Most Awesome Viking.

"I believe that modern-day rowers who bravely launch their shells in open water most closely capture the historic adventurous spirit of the Vikings," says Christopher Blackwall, co-executive director for the October 29 and 30, 2011 Regatta. "We want to offer these competitors a fair, fun, and worthwhile racing experience at the Regatta. Athletes can compete in a standard head race on Saturday. On Sunday, they can then test their navigational skills in a "loop race," he adds. Top aggregate individual performers, male and female, will earn the Most Awesome Viking Trophy, distinctive, etched-glass awards named in honor of renowned Viking explorers.

Responding to interests of competitors, the Regatta also added the following events: men's masters pair w/o cox; men's and women's veterans fours w/cox; a high-school-only head race in trainer singles; and an Under 17 age group sub category in all high school races.

We encourage you to add some of these non-rowing experiences to your visit, and to extend your visit to include a Friday or Sunday night stay. For answers to your questions about these opportunities, visit www.visitphilly.com. You also are welcome to email questions to travel@hosrregatta.org; they will be answered promptly by the writer of these pieces, a perennial competitor. We will be adding pieces regularly in the months leading up to the Regatta. Read more...

"Yep this is one of the best races year after year. Thanks for sending the results, it is a nice addition to the race...Another good move was that you spread out the masters and open race between the 2 days!
It gave crews that have to travel a long distance another reason to come race here, which I like! The more crews the better! Thanks again and I do love the race." ~ Ted Trocky, Malta Boat Club

Many thanks to Judy Hasday for all the photography she generously supplied for our web site.